Our Methodology

Every guide on The Consumer Clarity is written by The Consumer Clarity Editorial Team. This page explains how we work: how we pick topics, where our facts come from, how we keep guides current, and what happens when we get something wrong.

How we choose topics

We write about decisions where consumers commonly lose money or sign something they do not fully understand: solar contracts and financing, insurance policies and quotes, credit and debt, and home services. We prioritize questions that come up again and again in consumer complaints and in the guidance published by federal and state regulators.

Which sources we use

We rely first on official sources: federal agencies such as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Federal Trade Commission, the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Department of Energy, national bodies such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and state regulators, attorneys general and licensing boards. For state energy incentives we use the DSIRE database.

Each guide ends with a Sources section listing the official pages that support it, and key figures and rules link directly to the page that states them. We check that every source link works when we add it. We do not publish sponsored content presented as editorial.

How we keep guides up to date

Rules, tax credits and prices change. Each guide shows the date it was first published and the date it was last updated. When a law, program or regulator guidance that a guide relies on changes, we revise the guide and its Updated date changes with it.

How we correct errors

If you find a factual error, an outdated rule or a broken source link, email contact@theconsumerclarity.com with the page URL, what you believe is wrong, and any supporting evidence. We review every report, correct confirmed errors, and update the guide's Updated date.

How we make money

Some guides contain affiliate links. If you sign up through one, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Articles that contain affiliate links say so, and affiliate partners do not review or approve our content. Read our affiliate disclosure and our editorial policy.

What our guides are not

Our guides explain how products, contracts and rules work. They are not personalized financial, tax or legal advice. For decisions that depend on your own situation, check with the agency concerned or a licensed professional.

Contact

Questions about how we work: contact@theconsumerclarity.com